What HOB filter do YOU prefer?

[tropicalfish]

Well, here comes my second what do you prefer question...
I just want good opinions,.. so I can have a succesful future 30 gallon aquarium.

I am deciding between a Hagen AquaClear 30, the Emperor 280 or 400, or the Penguin 350.

I have a Hagen AquaClear 30 on my ten gallon hex, and it works nicely.
But, I have not tried any other products, so I wanted to know your opinion.

But, if I happen to collect enough money and opt for a canister, definitely a Rena Filstar xp2 or xp3.

 

[James From Cali]

Well I have always had a top fin power filter.

 

[Mahamotorworks]

They all do about the same. Bio Wheels are better for Bacteria.

MAHA

 

[tropicalfish]

I am all against top-fin and whisper filters, because I has topfin before, and whisper is just the base that topfin copied off of, I don't like it.

 

[Igor The Cat]

AC!!!! they live forever! ive got an AC150 (the original 30) and its been running pretty much non stop for 5 years and is still perfect!

cheers

-Java

 

[Endl98]

ac 110 or a emperor 400. gotta love em both, but i would choose the emp400

 

[jumpfreak26]

dont get whispers if you have a messy substrate, (sand, flourite, eco complete) mine clogged and is over flowing where the tube comes in at the low flow setting. Bad filter. Ill have to check out the ac's.

 

[tropicalfish]

I will use flourite as substrate, as I want my tank to be planted.

 

[echoofformless]

Just buy the one that has the prettiest box.

Seriously, there is that little of a difference in performance.

 

[FishLuvr]

i prefer aquaclears, i have used bio wheel filters before and to be honest i hated them, the wheel would always stop which isnt good for the bacteria growth, i know have a aquaclear on each of my tanks, and have had no problems with them at all

 

[tropicalfish]

Okay
I am leaning more towards the AquaClear, I just want to hear more opinions.

 

[JWright]

The only HOBs I've ever run are ACs, so I have no real basis for comparison, but ACs have never given me trouble.

 

[Panther28]

Aquaclear hands down. Good silent filters and easy to clean. I have 2 of them. one on a 10G(AC 30) and one on 55 G (AC 70). Although on my 55 G I have a XP3 canister filter running too.

 

[tropicalfish]

So I decided to go with the AquaClear...
But for my 30 gallon, what should I use? If I use AquaClear, should I go with the 50 or 70?
For the Rena Filstar, should I use the xP2 or the xP3?
I am going to have this a community tank, freshwater.

 

[Panther28]

So I decided to go with the AquaClear...
But for my 30 gallon, what should I use? If I use AquaClear, should I go with the 50 or 70?
For the Rena Filstar, should I use the xP2 or the xP3?
I am going to have this a community tank, freshwater.

If you don't have any problems with finances then go with AC 70 and the XP3.Why not spend a few bucks more and get a stronger filter.

Will you use both the filters on the 30G?

 

[tropicalfish]

only one or the other.

 

[Panther28]

Hmm well always go for more filteration! You could go for the 70 or the XP3. You never know, maybe in the near future you might want to upgrade for a 30 to a 55 or 80g.

 

[tropicalfish]

yeah..
I probably won't upgrade-- I will just get ANOTHER one--BIGGER one!!!!

 

[Katie217]

i have aquaclear on my 5, 10, 20gal tanks, but i have the one rated for a 5-15gal on my 5gal, a 20gal on my 10gal, and a 40gal filter on my 20. i think its best to go with the bigger filter